It was only a few months ago that I started to use a powder foundation. You may know that I tend to stay away from loose powders as much as possible (clumsy people + loose powders = disaster). However, when I found the perfect match for my skin tone in the Afterglow Cosmetics Mineral Foundation shade Tan and fell in love with the pretty semi-matte finish and medium coverage, I began to use it regularly. The only thing that was missing was a good kabuki brush that would help me to get an easy, even application.
With powder makeup, I tend to choose natural hair brushes (mostly goat hair, and from reputable brands that source their materials in accordance with animal welfare laws**). Therefore, I was very glad to discover the Jane Iredale Handi Brush* while browsing MakeupAlley. I was very impressed by the number of reviews and the consistent positive ratings. Most reviews raved about the quality of the brush and some reviewers said that they owned the same brush for several years, which is only possible with high quality brushes.
On to the specifics and details. The shape of the brush is similar to a flat kabuki with a longer handle and the hair is very soft and dense. The size of the entire brush is compact (same size as the first EcoTools bronzer brush), but the head of the brush is actually quite large. I prefer smaller face brushes, but this one works just as well. It buffs the product into the skin without leaving uneven amounts of product on the face and without scratching it, which helps with the overall natural appearance of the foundation. It does not make the product look like it is “sitting” on the skin looking cakey and aging. I have tried to use the same foundation with a few other brushes, but I find that this one gives me the most natural looking coverage. It also held up quite nicely after washing, with very minimal shedding.
The Handi Brush is the best one that I have tried for powder foundation–both loose and pressed, and even though it is on the pricey side, I believe that it would be a good investment for anyone who wears mineral foundation. You can find it at Nordstrom and Beauty.com.
*PR Sample
**Jane Iredale’s products are certified cruelty-free by PETA.